PPP: Dems lead generic Hill race

Democrats have an edge over Republicans in a generic congressional match-up, including a significant gain in support among independents, according to a new poll taken during the government shutdown.

In more bad news for Republicans, a separate poll found the GOP’s favorability fell 10 points from last month to a record low for either party.

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Voters choose Democrats over Republicans in a generic race for a seat in the U.S. House 46 percent to 41 percent, with a 42 percent to 33 percent lead among independent voters, according to a Public Policy Polling survey out Wednesday. The lead among independents is a 21-point swing since a July poll, which showed Republicans leading among independents 39 percent to 27 percent.

The jump might be driven by blame for the government shutdown. Overall, voters pinned the Republican Party for the shutdown over Democrats 48 percent to 42 percent, and among independents it was a 51 percent to 37 percent split.

The poll also had mixed news for the leader of House Republicans, Speaker John Boehner. PPP asked voters if they preferred Boehner or Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as House speaker. Overall, voters chose Boehner 33 percent to 30 percent, but Republicans chose Cruz 40 percent to 37 percent. Boehner’s support was strongest among Democrats, who supported him 29 percent to 18 percent, and independents, who chose him 34 percent to 31 percent.

In a separate poll out Wednesday from Gallup, the percent of Americans who view the GOP favorably slid 10 points in a month, to 28 percent. It’s the lowest mark for either party since Gallup began polling the question in 1992.

Democrats’ favorability fell 4 points from September, to 43 percent.

Similarly, the share of voters viewing Republicans unfavorably was at a record high, at 62 percent, while 49 percent viewed Democrats unfavorably.

The left-leaning PPP surveyed 1,000 voters from Oct. 4 to 6 for its poll, which has an error margin of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Gallup surveyed 1,028 adults from Oct. 3 to 6 for its poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points